Bristol City are ready for the new Championship season. That's the message from the club ahead of Saturday's opening match against head coach Lee Johnson's former team, Barnsley.

Ahead of the game, Johnson revealed that he is happy with how recruitment has gone this summer and would be delighted with his squad even if no extra additions were made ahead of the close of the summer transfer window.

Regardless, the Bristol Post asked Johnson if there was any news on the still unfilled position of head of recruitment, with several important transfer deals having taken place over the summer and no replacement for the departed Des Taylor in situ.

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"There's no news as of yet. Obviously Mervyn Day has been in and about with us. We get on very well with Mervyn. I'm sure when there's an announcement ready to be made, it will be."

"The structure is important for that as well. What we learnt last year is that recruitment is so important obviously - and it goes without saying - but the way we recruit and the process becomes really important.

"It's a European League now really, the Championship, and you need to make sure you've got your eye on the ball all around Europe. Not just England.

Lee Johnson and Mark Ashton take part in a Q+A at Ashton Gate (Image: Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

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"And we're growing. Again, it's another part of the club that's a really exciting area and we'll continue to expand. A lot of money has gone into getting the right people in [regarding analysts and more]."

Day is listed on the LinkedIn career website as an international scout for Bristol City currently (specialising in Spanish football).

The position of head of first team scouting - advertised back in April - is extremely key given the player trading that Bristol City have embarked on this summer: a record transfer fee shelled out and several key players lost (Lee Tomlin, Tammy Abraham, more?).

However, Johnson is not worried.

"I'm really happy with how recruitment has gone this summer," explained Johnson. "Like I say, it's not just about the football but about the person.

Famara Diedhiou of Bristol City looking sharp against FC Twente in pre-season

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"Having now had those players in, I've got that nice feeling that we've made the right decision. There's nothing worse than bringing a player in and thinking 'oh god, we've had a stinker there' because they don't train properly or they're grumpy or they're not conducive to adding to the environement.

"To bring the guys that we've had in - so with Fam, Bakes and Eros - they've added to the group in their personalities and their mannerisms, as well as being fantastic footballers. It's good fun."

The City head coach went on to explain that he expected his team to change across the course of the season as injuries, form and changes for players behind the scenes have an impact.